Systems and methods for displaying negotiable instruments derived from various sources

ABSTRACT

Various systems, methods and computer-readable media with computer-executable instructions are disclosed that display negotiable instruments derived from various sources. For example, a bank member can draft a check and have that check displayed at his banking institution. Additionally, this bank member can also display any other checks that the member has received. In fact, any check that is either credited or debited from the member&#39;s account can appear as a digital image for inspection by the member. Furthermore, any images of checks residing at other banking institutions can be synchronized with the member&#39;s institution to amount to a one-stop warehouse for digital images of negotiable instruments for inspection by the member, no matter from where these negotiable instruments may originate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to subject matter disclosed in the followingcommonly assigned applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/321,025, filed Dec. 29, 2005, entitled “Remote Deposit of Checks,”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/321,027, filed Dec. 29, 2005,entitled “Remote Deposit of Checks,” and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/320,998, filed Dec. 29, 2005, entitled “Remote Deposit ofChecks.” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/591,131, filed Oct. 31,2006, entitled “Remote Deposit of Checks.”

Additionally, this application is related to subject matter disclosed inthe following commonly assigned applications: U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/591,014, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Remote Deposit of Checks,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/590,971, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methods forRemote Deposit of Checks,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/591,247,filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methods for Remote Deposit ofChecks,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/591,003, filed Oct. 31,2006, entitled “Systems and Methods for Remote Deposit of Checks” andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/590,974, filed Oct. 31, 2006,entitled “Systems and Methods for Remote Deposit of Checks,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/590,963, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systemsand Methods for Remote Deposit of Checks,” and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/591,025, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Remote Deposit of Checks.”

Additionally, this application is related to subject matter disclosed inthe following commonly assigned application: U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/591,273, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Remote Deposit of Negotiable Instruments with Non-PayeeInstitutions.”

Additionally, this application is related to subject matter disclosed inthe following commonly assigned applications: U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/591,262, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Clearing Negotiable Instruments In Lieu of Using Digital Images,”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/591,227, filed Oct. 31, 2006,entitled “Systems and Methods for Clearing Negotiable Instruments InLieu of Using Digital Images,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/591,261, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methods forClearing Negotiable Instruments In Lieu of Using Digital Images.”

Additionally, this application is related to subject matter disclosed inthe following commonly assigned applications: U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/590,998, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Displaying Instruments Derived From Various Sources,” and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/591,228, filed Oct. 31, 2006, entitled“Systems and Methods for Displaying Instruments Derived From VariousSources.”

BACKGROUND

Negotiable instruments, such as checks, for example, typically provide asafe and convenient method for individuals to purchase goods and/orservices. To use a check, an individual usually must open a checkingaccount, or other similar account, at a financial institution anddeposit funds, which are then available for later withdrawal. To pay forgoods and/or services with a check, a payor (i.e., a buyer) usuallydesignates a payee (i.e., a seller) and an amount payable on the check.In addition, the payor often signs the check. Once the check has beensigned, it is usually deemed negotiable, meaning the check may bevalidly transferred to the payee upon delivery. By signing andtransferring the check to the payee, the payor authorizes funds to bewithdrawn from the payor's account on behalf of the payee in return forthe goods and/or services provided by the payee.

Negotiable instruments, such as checks, have certain advantages overother forms of payment, such as cash. For example, while oftenconsidered the most liquid type of asset, cash also may be the leastsecure. Unlike a check, for instance, cash is usually freelytransferable and does not have to be endorsed. Thus, an owner andpossessor of cash is most often the same individual. Because cash isfreely transferable, cash that is lost or stolen typically cannot berecovered. Therefore, the risks associated with cash transactions areoften undesirable, particularly with respect to transactions notconducted in person (e.g., by mail) and/or involving large sums ofmoney. A check, on the other hand, provides a payor with more securitybecause the check usually requires a payor to specify both the personand amount to be paid. Furthermore, as noted above, the check is usuallynot valid until it is properly signed by the payor. These safeguardshelp to reduce the risk that money will be lost and/or stolen and ensurethat the proper payee receives the proper amount of money.

Cash may have other disadvantageous as well. For example, because cashis freely transferable, there may be little or no verifiable transactionhistory. It is often desirable for a payor and/or payee to have physicalproof that a particular transaction took place. This typically requiresthat the payor receive a receipt. However, receipts may contain errorsand can be easily misplaced. In contrast, a bank processing a check willordinarily create a transaction history, which may include the identityof the payee, the amount to be paid, the date of the payment, and thesignature of the payor. This enables both a payor and payee toindependently verify the accuracy of most transactions involving apayment by check.

While a check may provide a payor with a convenient and secure form ofpayment, receiving a check may put certain burdens on the payee, such asthe time and effort required to deposit the check. For example,depositing a check typically involves going to a local bank branch andphysically presenting the check to a bank teller or an ATM. In additionto the time commitment that may be required, visiting a bank branch maybe problematic for the payee if the bank's hours of operation coincidewith the payee's normal hours of employment. Thus, the payee may berequired to leave work early and/or change work schedules.

A check may pose other burdens for the payee. As noted above, a checkmay not be freely transferable, thereby limiting the payee's ability touse funds from the check. For example, it is usually difficult to forthe payee to purchase goods and/or services using a check issued by thepayor. While the check may be endorsed and accepted by a third party,such transactions are often disfavored because the third party may notknow the payor and, thus, may not be willing to accept the risk that thepayor has sufficient funds to cover the check. Therefore, the payee maynot have access to the funds from the check until the payee deposits thecheck at the bank, the check has cleared and the funds have beencredited to the payee's account. The payee may have to wait even longerif the payee chooses to deposit the check by mail.

Even if the payee deposits a check with a payee bank, this may not be asadvantageous, in some instances, as depositing the check with othernon-payee banks, such as payor banks, intermediate banks, or third-partyenterprises. For example, a payor bank may be a more convenient place orsite to deposit a check. Additionally, it may provide for faster accessto funds upon deposit.

If a payee deposits a check, this check can be cleared by sending adigital image of the check from a payee bank to some bank downstream.However, since digital images may be large and/or may lack the requiredresolution to act as substitute checks, other ways of clearing checkswithout using digital images is needed.

Finally, given the large volume of checks that a member may come across,the member may not be aware of the various different sources from whichthe checks were either drawn on the member's account or deposited to themember's account.

Therefore, there is a need for mechanisms for remotely depositingnegotiable instruments, such as checks, with non-payee financialinstitutions, being able to clear checks without relying on digitalimages, and being able to display checks associated with an account nomatter the source of the checks.

SUMMARY

The described aspects herein contemplate systems, methods andcomputer-readable media with computer-executable instructions thatdisplay negotiable instruments derived from various sources. By way ofexample and not limitation, a bank member can draft a check and havethat check displayed at his banking institution; however, in addition,this bank member can also display any other checks that the member hasreceived. In fact, any check that is either credited or debited from themember's account can appear as a digital image for inspection by themember. Furthermore, any images of check residing at other bankinginstitutions can be synchronized with the member's institution to amountto a one-stop warehouse for digital images of negotiable instruments forinspection by the member, no matter from where these negotiableinstruments may originate (whether payors, payees, or other parties).

It should be noted that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scopeof the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, isbetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.In order to illustrate the present disclosure, various aspects of thedisclosure are shown. However, the disclosure is not limited to thespecific aspects discussed or shown. The following figures are included:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system in which aspects ofthe present disclosure may be incorporated;

FIG. 2A is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of remotelydepositing checks;

FIG. 2B is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of remotelydepositing checks;

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative aspect of anexemplary method of remotely depositing checks; and

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative aspect of anexample method of remotely depositing checks.

FIG. 4 illustrates account holders/payees directly depositing negotiableinstruments with payor financial institutions;

FIG. 5 illustrates account holders/payees directly depositing negotiableinstruments with intermediate financial institutions;

FIG. 6 illustrates software modules that can be used in aidingdepositing with non-payee banks;

FIG. 7 illustrates how various types of information may be provided by auser to remotely deposit a check, including account holders/payeesdirectly depositing negotiable instruments with third party enterprises;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart in block diagram form as to how userscan submit negotiable instruments to non-payee financial institutions;

FIG. 9 illustrates the notion of clearing negotiable instruments usingalpha-numeric transaction without needing to use digital images ofnegotiable instruments to do so;

FIG. 10 illustrates a further aspect discussed with reference to FIG. 9,namely, the use of non-financial institutions in the negotiableinstrument clearing process;

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart in block diagram form depicting ways toclear negotiable instruments without using digital images;

FIG. 12 illustrates how a member of an institution can access digitalimages of displayed negotiable instruments derived by the member fromvarious sources;

FIG. 13 illustrates the synchronization across various institutions ofthe displayed digital images depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart in block diagram form depicting ways todisplay negotiable instruments emanating from various sources;

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram representing an exemplary computingdevice suitable for use in conjunction with the aforementioned aspects;and

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary networked computing environment inwhich many computerized processes may be implemented to perform theaforementioned aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter of the disclosed aspects herein is provided withspecificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the DetailedDescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of thisdisclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimedsubject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to includedifferent steps or elements similar to the ones described herein, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover,although the term “step” may be used herein to connote different aspectsof methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying anyparticular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unlessand except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

Furthermore, although certain terms of art are used herein, it is alsounderstood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited touses synonymous with these terms. For example, the broad notion of“negotiable instruments” is used herein, and specifically, “checks,”however, the present disclosure is not limited to “negotiableinstruments” or “checks.” In fact, any transactional mechanisms fortransacting financial transactions are contemplated herein, whether“negotiable instruments,” “checks,” or otherwise.

Depositing Negotiable Instruments with Financial Institutions

Turning now to FIG. 1, an exemplary system is shown for remotelydepositing negotiable instruments with financial institutions. System100 may include a computer user, such as an account holder 110, andvarious financial institutions 130, 140, 150. These institutions 130,140, 150 may be any type of entities capable of processing a transactioninvolving negotiable instruments. For example, financial institutions130, 140, 150 may be retail banks, investment banks, investmentcompanies, regional branches of the Federal Reserve, clearinghouse banksand/or correspondent banks. In one aspect of the presently disclosedsubject matter, negotiable instruments disclosed herein may beunderstood in broad terms to be types of contracts that obligate oneparty to pay a specified sum of money to another party. By way ofexample, and not limitation, negotiable instruments may include checks,drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes, and the like.

An account holder 110 may be an individual who owns an account 160 or isgiven permission to manage the account 160 (if, for example, the account160 is a trust account). This account 160 may be held at financialinstitution 130. For example, account 160 may be any type of account fordepositing funds, such as a savings account, checking account, brokerageaccount, and the like. The account holder 110 may communicate with thefinancial institution 130 by way of communication network 120, which mayinclude a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), a cellular network, a voice overinternet protocol (VoIP) network, and the like, as is discussed in moredetail below. Moreover, the account holder 110 may communicate with thefinancial institution 130 using a variety of mechanisms, such as phone,email, instant messaging, facsimile, and the like. The financialinstitutions 130, 140, 150 also may communicate with each other by wayof similar or different communications networks 120.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the account holder 110 may be apayee 112, and may receive a check 116 from a payor 114. The payor 114,in turn, make have his or her account at a different financialinstitution 150 (with a corresponding account 170). Thus, the check 116may be drawn on account 170 at financial institution 150. The accountholder 110 may endorse the check (e.g., sign the back of the check) andindicate an account number on the check for depositing the funds. Theaccount holder 110 may deposit the check 116 into account 160 byconverting the check into electronic data (a digital image and/or dataand/or metadata) and sending the electronic data to financialinstitution 130 (as is shown in more detail in later figures).

For example, after endorsing the check 116, the account holder 110 mayconvert the check 116 into a digital image by scanning the front and/orback of the check 116. Account owner 110 may then attach the digitalimage to an email and send the image to financial institution 130. Uponreceipt of the image, financial institution 130 may credit the funds toaccount 160. Financial institution 130 may clear the check 116 bypresenting the digital image to an intermediary bank, such as a regionalbranch of the Federal Reserve, a correspondent bank and/or aclearinghouse bank.

For example, the check 116 may be cleared by presenting the digitalimage to financial institution 140, which may be a regional branch ofthe Federal Reserve, along with a request for payment. Financialinstitution 130 and 150 may have accounts at the regional branch of theFederal Reserve. As will be discussed in greater detail below, financialinstitution 130 may create a substitute check using the image providedby account holder 110 and present the substitute check to financialinstitution 140 for further processing.

Upon receiving the substitute check, financial institution 140 mayidentify financial institution 150 as the paying or “payor” bank 152(e.g., the bank from which the check 116 is drawn). This may beaccomplished using a nine-digit routing number located on the bottomleft hand corner of the check 116. A unique routing number is typicallyassigned to every financial institution in the United States. Financialinstitution 140 may present the substitute check to financialinstitution 150 and request that the check be paid. If financialinstitution 150 verifies the check (i.e., agrees to honor the check),financial institution 140 may then settle the check by debiting fundsfrom financial institution 150 and crediting funds to financialinstitution 130. Financial institution 150 may then debit funds fromaccount 170.

It will be appreciated that the preceding examples are for purposes ofillustration and explanation only, and that the various aspects of thepresent disclosure provided herein are not limited to such examples. Forinstance, financial institution 150 may be a correspondent bank (i.e.,engaged in a partnership with financial institution 130). Thus,financial institution 130 may bypass the regional branch of the FederalReserve and clear the check directly with financial institution 150. Inaddition, account 160 and account 170 may both be held at financialinstitution 130, in which case the check may be cleared internally.

FIG. 2A is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of remotelydepositing checks, whether such checks are deposited to a payeefinancial institution or a non-payee financial institution (such as apayor bank, an intermediate bank, or some third party enterprise). Asshown in FIG. 2A, at 200, an account holder or owner (e.g. the payee)may receive a check from a third party (e.g. the payor). At 201, thepayee may endorse the check by signing the back of the check in thedesignated field. If the payee wishes to deposit the check into anaccount, such as a savings and/or checking account, the payee also maywrite an account number below the signature. At 202, the payee mayconvert the check into electronic data. This may be accomplished in anynumber of ways. For example, the payee may create a digital image of thefirst side of the check, the second side of the check, or both. Thedigital image may be created using a general purpose flatbed scanner,digital camera, photocopier, fax machine, video equipment, and the like.

The payee also may convert the check into electronic data by scanningthe check using a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) device.Checks typically contain MICR information (e.g., routing number, accountnumber and check number) on the bottom left-hand corner of the check.The MICR information usually consists of characters written in amagnetic ink. The MICR information may be read electronically by passingthe check through the MICR device, which may translate the characters bymagnetizing the ink.

Thus, it should be noted that the term “electronic data” encompasses notonly digital images, but any other data related to a negotiableinstrument—namely, in the case of checks, MICR information. These twokinds of information, digital images and MICR information (oralpha-numeric data), may be sent to a financial institution together,separately, or in lieu of one another. Additionally, a third kind ofelectronic data may be used, namely, metadata related to the check. Thismetadata may contain information related to the maker of the check, themaker's name (if, for example, it is not clear from the digital image),address, banking information (perhaps other related accounts), credithistory, and so on. This latter type of data may also containinstructions from the maker or the person submitting the check to thefinancial institution.

As shown in FIG. 2A, at 203, the payee may send the electronic data to abank that is associated with an account for depositing funds. As isexplained below, this bank may be a payee bank, a payor bank, anintermediary bank, or some third party enterprise. Any means fortransmitting electronic data over a communications network is consistentwith this aspect of the present disclosure. For example, if the payeecreates a digital image of the check, the image may be sent to the bankby attaching the image to an email. If the electronic data is in theform of MICR information captured by a MICR device, the device may havean output component for transmitting the electronic data to the bankover the communications network. Additionally, the electronic data mayinclude information pertaining to the account for depositing funds, suchas the account number and/or the name on the account. The account numbermay appear on the check itself, below the signature endorsing the check.The account number and/or name on the account also may appear in anemail, either with or without the digital image, for example.

At 204, the payee may void the check. For example, the payee may writeand/or stamp “void” on the check, or alternatively, use a device forautomatically voiding the check (for instance, a combinationscanner/printer to scan a check and then print “void” on it).Alternatively, special paper may be used where after scanning isperformed, a void watermark appears on the check. In any case, at 205,the payee may send the check to a financial institution associated withthe account for depositing funds (or alternatively, to a general accountfor depositing checks). The check may be sent via a common carrier, suchas the United States Post Office, FedEx®, United Parcel Service®, andthe like. The process may then proceed to 206. It will appreciated that204 and 205 may be performed to provide additional security features.For example, by removing the check from circulation, it may be lesslikely that the check will be deposited more than once.

FIG. 2B is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of remotelydepositing checks. As shown in FIG. 2B, at 206, the bank may receive theelectronic data representative of the check along with informationpertaining to the account for depositing funds. At 207, the bank maycredit funds to the account. The credit may be a provisional credit,enabling the payee to access the funds while the check is being cleared.A provisional credit may later be voided if the bank determines that thetransaction is erroneous and/or fraudulent.

At 208, the bank may generate an Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) debitentry, substitute check, and/or electronic image. ACH transactionstypically include payment instructions to debit and/or credit anaccount. Banks often employ ACH service providers to settle ACHtransactions. Examples of ACH service providers include regionalbranches of the Federal Reserve and the Electronic Payments Network(EPN). In one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, a payeemay receive a check in return for the sale of goods, such as a used car,for example. The payee may endorse the check and/or send electronic datarepresentative of the check to the payee's, payor's, or an intermediatebank which may be referred to as the originating depository financialinstitution (ODFI).

As noted above, the electronic data may be generated in any number ofways. For example, the payee may use a MICR device to scan and translatethe MICR information (e.g., account number, routing number, checknumber, etc.) located on the check and transmit the data to the desiredbank along with information pertaining to the account for depositingfunds. Upon receipt of the MICR information and account information, thebank may credit funds to the payee's account and generate an ACH debitentry to the payor's account, which may be presented to the ACH serviceprovider for processing. In the case where a deposit is made directly tothe payor bank, any of these intermediate points of transaction caneither greatly reduced or obviated outright.

In the case where the ACH service provider is used, it may process thedebit entry by identifying the account and bank from which the check isdrawn. The bank from which the check is drawn (i.e., the payor's bank)may be referred to as a receiving depository financial institution(RDFI). If the payor's bank verifies the transaction, the ACH serviceprovider may settle the transaction by debiting the payor's bank andcrediting the payee's bank. The payor's bank may then debit the payor'saccount.

A substitute check can be a paper reproduction of an original checkbased on an electronic image of the original check, and may be the legalequivalent of the original check. Substitute checks were authorizedunder The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, commonly known asCheck 21. The Act was enacted to facilitate the check clearing processby allowing banks to transmit electronic images of checks to other banksrather than physically sending the original paper checks. Check 21 doesnot require that banks use substitute checks. In fact, many banks mayhave voluntary agreements to accept certain electronic images of checkseven though the images may not qualify as substitute checks under Check21.

In another aspect of the presently disclose subject matter, a payee mayreceive a check, for example, as a birthday gift. The payee may endorsethe check and/or send electronic data representative of the check to thepayee's bank, payor's bank, any intermediate bank, or some third partyenterprise. As noted above, the electronic data may be generated in anynumber of ways. For example, the payee may use a general purpose flatbedscanner and/or digital camera to create a digital image of the front andback of the check. The payee may then attach the digital images to anemail and send the digital image to the payee's bank along withinformation pertaining to the account for depositing funds. Upon receiptof the digital images and/or account information, the payee's bank, forexample, may credit funds to the payee's account. If the payee's bankand the payor's bank have a voluntary agreement for accepting electronicimages of checks, the payee's bank may generate an electronic image ofthe check and/or simply forward the digital images received from thepayee to the payor's bank. If there is no agreement between the banks,the payee's bank may convert the digital images into a substitute checkand present the substitute check to the payor's bank and/or a checkclearing service provider (e.g., a regional branch of the FederalReserve) to clear the check.

Returning to FIG. 2B, at 209, the bank may process the ACH debit entry,substitute check (paper or electronic image). As noted above, the bankmay present the ACH debit entry to an ACH service provider (e.g., EPN),which may be responsible for settling the transaction between thepayee's bank and the payor's bank. The bank also may convert the digitalimage into a hardcopy substitute check and present the substitute checkto an intermediary bank (e.g., a regional branch of the Federal Reserve)to complete the check clearing process.

At 210, the bank may debit the payee's account if the original check isnot received and/or sent within a predetermined period of time. Forexample, the bank may require that the payee send the check and have itpostmarked within five business days of sending the electronic datarepresentative of the check. If the check is not postmarked within thepredetermined period of time, the financial institution may void theprovisional credit (e.g., withdraw funds from the account). At 211, thefinancial institution may receive the check from the payee. It willappreciated that 210 and 211 may be performed to provide additionalsecurity features by removing the check from circulation.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative aspect of anexemplary method of remotely depositing checks. As shown in FIG. 3A, at300, a payee may receive a check from a third party payor. At 301, thepayee may endorse the check by signing the back of the check in thedesignated field. If the payee wishes to deposit the check into anaccount, such as a savings and/or checking account, the payee also maywrite an account number below the signature. At 302, the payee may calla bank associated with an account for depositing funds and request thatthe check be deposited into the account. Any method of contacting thebank is consistent with this aspect—for example, phone, email, instantmessaging, and/or a fax machine to make the request.

At 303, the payee may convey the check information and/or informationpertaining to the account for depositing funds. For example, the payeemay convey the MICR information (e.g., account number, routing number,check number, etc.) on the check. In addition, the payee may convey theaccount number of the account where the funds are to be deposited. Anymethod of conveying the information is consistent with this aspect. At304, the payee may void the check and/or send the check to the bank. Theprocess may then proceed to 305.

It will be appreciated that 304 may be performed to provide additionalsecurity features. For example, by removing the check from circulation,it may be less likely that the check will be (willfully or accidentally)deposited more than once. In addition, by requiring the payee to producethe check, the financial institution may prevent the deposit offraudulent checks.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative aspect of anexample method of remotely depositing checks. As shown in FIG. 3B, at305, the bank may receive the check information and account information.At 306, the bank may credit funds to the account. As noted above, thecredit may be a provisional credit, enabling the payee to access thefunds while the transaction is being processed. At 307, the bank mayvoid the provisional credit if the original check is not sent and/orreceived within a predetermined period of time. At 308, the bank mayreceive the check. At 309, the bank may generate an ACH debit entry,substitute check, and/or electronic image. At 310, the bank may processthe ACH debit entry, substitute check, and/or electronic image. It willappreciated that 307 and 308 may be performed to provide additionalsecurity features.

Other security features may be consistent with an embodiment. Forexample, the bank may only permit certain payees to remotely depositchecks. By way of example, and not limitation, the bank may acceptelectronic data representative of a check and/or accept a request todeposit a check if the payee's account is in good standing. The payee'saccount may be considered in good standing if the payee has a positiveaccount balance, has a predetermined amount of funds in the account,and/or is not delinquent on any payments to the bank. The bank also mayreceive the electronic data and/or request but credit funds to theaccount if the account is in good standing as of the time the electronicdata and/or request was received. In addition, the bank may imposeadditional requirements on a payee remotely depositing a check into anaccount that is not in good standing. For example, as noted above, thebank may provisionally credit the payee's account upon receipt of theelectronic data and/or request but may require the payee to send thecheck to the bank. Thus, the account may be debited if the check is notsent and/or received within a predetermined amount of time.

Remotely Depositing Negotiable Instruments with Non-Payee FinancialInstitutions

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, as is shownin FIG. 4, the account holder 110, who may be a payee 112, may directlydeposit a check 116, in the form of a digital image or softcopy of thecheck 118, with a financial institution 150 that may be a payor bank152. As mentioned, this may be done by scanning the front and/or back ofthe check 116, turning a physical check into a softcopy of the check,and then directly sending softcopy of check 118 to the account 170 infinancial institution 150, designated as the payor bank 152. Thus,instead of depositing check 116 with the payee bank 132 (i.e. financialinstitution 130), the deposit can be made with the bank associated witha payor (shown in FIG. 1 as payor 114). One advantage of this directdeposit method is that the payee can obviate any transactions costs thatare associated with a more indirect deposit method, namely, deposit tothe payee's bank 132.

Although traditionally payees deposit hardcopies of check with their ownbank, i.e. payee bank, here payees distinguish over such traditionaldeposit methods in at least two ways: (1) they are depositing a softcopyof a check to a bank and not a mere hardcopy, and (2) moreover, they aredepositing the softcopy of the check with payor's bank not merely thepayee's bank (and as is described below, payees can also deposit thesoftcopy of the check with some intermediary bank or some third partyprocessing enterprise that can forward the check to some financialinstitution).

Upon receipt of the check 116, the account holder 110 can transform aphysical version of the check 116 into an electronic version or softcopyversion of the check 118. The account holder 110 can perform thistransformation by him or herself, using such equipment as scanners,digital cameras, video capturing devices, etc., or, alternatively, he orshe may have some third party perform this transformation and eitherhave the third party deposit the check on his or her behalf or depositthe check personally upon receipt of the transformed version. In anycase, once the softcopy of the check 118 is obtained, it can be sentfrom the account holder 110 via communication network 120 to someaccount 170 associated with a payor bank 152. As will be shown below,other additional information can be submitted to the payor bank 152,including but not limited to data information (e.g. MICR data which maybe alpha-numeric data) and/or metadata information associated witheither check 116 and/or account holder 110.

The softcopy check 118, data and/or data and/or metadata can then beused, together, individually, or in some combination, to eventuallycredit the account holder 110 with the funds associated with the check116. The funds could be credited to an account 160 associated with theaccount holder 110 or payee 112. It should be noted that an accountholder 110 may often times overlap with the payee 112 (both may be thesame person), however, in some instances they may differ. For example, apayee 112 may be a wife of a husband that has a bank account (accountholder). These terms are used synonymously at times herein, according tothe appropriate context of the present disclosure, however, those ofskill in the art will readily appreciate instances where an accountholder 110 may differ from a payee 112.

Once the payor bank 152 has obtained at least a softcopy of the check118, it may start the process of clearing the check 116 and thuscrediting any associated funds to the account holder 110. The payor bank152 may do it either directly via the communication network 120 to thepayee bank 132, or alternatively, it may first contact some intermediarybank 142. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the intermediary bank142 may be a branch of the Federal Reserve bank; in another aspect, itmay be still some other bank; in yet another aspect, the intermediarybank 142 may include a plurality of banks, whether branches of theFederal Revere bank, other associated banks, and so on.

In still another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter,depositing checks 116 or other negotiable instruments with a non-payeebank or financial institution may allow for a more streamlinedprocessing of negotiable instruments. For instance, instead of the payeebank having to send softcopy check images to payor banks or otherintermediary banks, and then receiving any associated funds, all thepayee bank has to do is just receive the funds. This cuts downsubstantially on transactions costs to payee banks.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, FIG. 5illustrates softcopy deposits of checks (or other negotiableinstruments) that can be made to any intermediary financial institution.The term “intermediary” can include any bank or enterprise between apayee's bank and a payor's bank, such as the aforementioned branch ofthe Federal Reserve, whether regional or not, or another bank orenterprise that may transact as a go-between the payor's bank and thepayee's bank. Thus, in FIG. 5, an account holder 110 can deposit a checkvia the communication network 120 to some intermediate bank 144. Thedeposited check may be in softcopy form and it may result in the creditof some account balances in the account holder's 110 account 160. Thus,this latter account 160 may be adjusted according to deposits made tothe intermediate bank 144 account 142.

For example, if a deposit of $100 is made to the intermediate bank 144account 142, this deposit may be credited to the account holder's 110account 160. Furthermore, this $100 deposit may then debited from thepayor's bank 152 account 170. Several mechanisms may be used to managethese accounts 142, 160, and 170, as was already discussed above. Thesemechanisms may be centralized or they may be distributed. Moreover,account management may be performed in real-time (dynamically), or itmay be performed at some later time (for example, in a batchingscenario).

In still another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter,various mechanisms can be used to manage optimal depositing.Specifically, a computing optimizer can be used to determine whichelectronic deposit method will provide optimal results. Optimal resultscan be based on shortest transaction route, shortest time to process atransaction, and so on. Thus, for example, if the account holder 110wants to deposit a check, the optimizer 190 can determine whichtransaction route might be the fastest. In some instances, depositing acheck with the intermediate bank 142 might lead to the most efficientclearance of that check (or to quickest transfer of funds to a payeeaccount 160). If the account holder 110 scans in a check and sends anelectronic version of the check, before the check is actually sent, theoptimizer 190 can analyze to which of the banks 130, 140, 150 thiselectronic version of the check should be forwarded.

It should be noted that even though the optimizer 190 is shown in FIG. 5as residing remotely from the account holder 110, it can also reside onthe account holder's computing device (i.e. it can reside on a clientdevice). Intelligent software on the optimizer 190 can make adetermination as to which bank the electronic version of the checkshould be routed. In some aspects, the user or some intelligent modulecan specify which banks are candidates for deposit and which areexcluded. Thus, the account holder 110 can specify a plurality ofintermediate and payor banks to which an electronic check image can besent. And from there, the optimizer 190 selects the optimal route basedon information it has gathered from the various banks 130, 140, and 150.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, illustratedin FIG. 6, software modules can be used in aiding depositing innon-payee banks. For example, a software module 600 can be installed onthe account holder's 100 computing device so that it can aid the accountholder 110 in depositing a check in the payor's account 170. An accountholder 110 may be able to access his own account, but may not be able toaccess or deposit a check to a payor's account 170. Thus, a softwaremodule 600 can be used so that a payor bank 152 will be able to receiveand process any negotiable instrument that a payee, including theaccount holder 110, wants to deposit.

The software module 600 may be either on the client side 602 or theserver side 604. For example, the presently disclosed subject mattercontemplates the software module 600 being installed on the client side602 (the account holder 110 side) so that a payor bank 152 can eitherpull or push whatever information it wants regarding a deposit or anyother negotiable instrument transaction. Alternatively, the softwaremodule 600 may be installed on the server side 604 so that an accountholder 110 on the client side 602 can access the payor bank 152 usingany browsing software and simply deposit any negotiable instrument thatmay be drawn on the payor bank 152 or somehow associated with the payorbank 152.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, FIG. 7illustrates how various types of information may be provided by a userto remotely deposit a check. A user 722, who may be an account ownerand/or a payee, can deposit a set of data, for example, softcopy images(e.g. a digital images) and/or data (e.g. MICR data) and/or metadata(which may be related to the digital image and/or MICR informationand/or the user, e.g. name, address, account information, credithistory, credit rating, etc.) to a financial institution. In otherwords, a subset of this set of data can be used. This financialinstitution, as discussed above, may be a payee institution 700, a payorinstitution 706, an intermediate institution 704 there-between, or somethird party processing enterprise 718.

In one scenario, a set of data 710 may be submitted by the user 722 to apayee institution 700. This scenario has been described in some detailwith reference to FIGS. 2A-3B (focusing, specifically, on submission ofdigital images; as will be shown below in a slightly different context,other data and metadata may also be submitted). The discussion withreference to FIGS. 2A-3B may also apply to other forms of submission.For example, the user 722 can submit a data set 720 directly to a payorfinancial institution 706. As mentioned, this kind of submission mayobviate transaction costs inherent in other kinds of submissions. In thepayor financial institution 706 submission, the payor financialinstitution 706 may receive a softcopy image of a check drawn on thepayor financial institution 706. Additionally, or in the alternative,data such as MICR data may be submitted for faster processing, andmetadata may be submitted to help in clearing a negotiable instrumentand/or providing greater security. In any case, a confirmation can besent back from the receiving party to the sending party that any subsetof any set of data that was sent was in fact received.

If this submission is processed by the payer financial institution 706,some transaction 716 may be provided to the intermediate financialinstitution 704, which may in turn provide funds 712 to the payfinancial institution 700. Alternatively, the payor financialinstitution 706 may provide funds 714 directly to the payee financialinstitution. These funds may be provided with a wire transfer, an ACHtransaction, or some other electronic transaction (such as one usedbetween payee banks and branches of the Federal Reserve).

Alternatively, the user 722 may also submit a data set 720 to anintermediate financial institution 704 directly. Similar logic may holdtrue for this scenario as for the subject matter discussed above,however, in this case the intermediate financial institution 704 woulddebit and credit the payor financial institution 706 and the payeeinstitution 700, respectively, according to the appropriate amountsspecified in the data set 720.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a set of data 708 couldbe submitted to some third party processing enterprise 718 that wouldprocess the data set 708, and pass it to either the intermediatefinancial institution 704 or the payor institution 706 per thediscussion above. For example, if the user 722 designated the payorfinancial institution 706 as the point of deposit, the third partyprocessing enterprise 718 would provide the appropriate information tothe payor financial institution 706.

The third party processing enterprise, could either receive a physicalcopy (or the original) or an electronic version of a negotiableinstrument. This enterprise 718 could scan negotiable instruments, checkdigital images for compliance with Check 21 standards if such images aresubmitted to it, and so on. Upon such processing, it could forward theappropriate data (digital images and/or data and/or metadata) to theappropriate financial institution (704 and/or 706—even to 700).

Lastly, of the various sets of data 708, 710, 720, any combination ofthese sets 708, 710, 720 or even subsets thereof can be sent to variousfinancial institutions either at least substantially simultaneously orat different times. For example, the user 722 or the user's 722 moduleon the user's 722 computing device, can send image data to the payorfinancial institution 706 and alpha-numeric MICR data to the payeefinancial institution 700 at the desired times. Thus, variouscombinations of sets and subsets can be sent to various institutions.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, FIG. 8 illustrates aflow chart in block diagram form as to how users could submit negotiableinstruments to non-payee financial institutions. At block 800, the stepof receiving a set of data associated with negotiable instrument isperformed. As suggested above, this set of data could be received from ascanner, a digital camera, a video capturing device, and the like. Theset of data comprises at least one of image data of the negotiableinstrument, alpha-numeric data associated with the negotiableinstrument, and metadata associated with said at least one negotiableinstrument.

Then, at block 802, a choice is made as to which subset of this data setshould be selected for transmittal. At block 802 image data is apossibility; at block 804 alpha-numeric data is a possibility; and atblock 806 metadata is a possibility. Since arrows connect all threeblocks 802, 804, 806, all three of these subsets of the data set ofblock 800 could be chosen. Once the appropriate subsets are selected,the next question becomes which entity should they be sent to. There area variety of non-payee entities available. For example, at block 810, apayor financial institution is a candidate; at block 812, anintermediate financial institution is another candidate; and finally, atblock 814, a third party enterprise is also a candidate. The appropriatesubsets and entities can be selected by a user of a system employingthese elements (or alternatively some intelligent module). Lastly, oncethe appropriate subsets are sent, a confirmation of receipt and/orcompliance can be sent from the receiving party of the data set back tothe sending party (which may be a user on a computing device).

Clearing Negotiable Instruments without Using Digital Images

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, as isillustrated in FIG. 9, negotiable instruments can be cleared withouthaving to rely on digital images of such negotiable instruments. As wasdiscussed above, Check 21 legislation allowed for the use of digitalimages of checks and reprints or substitute checks thereof. Thus, oneway to clear checks, for example, is to receive a physical check or adigital image thereof and then clear the check based on such a digitalimage or a physical reprint of the digital image. However, FIG. 8 showsan alternative way to clear checks without having to rely on suchdigital images and substitute checks.

Specifically, instead of digital images alpha-numeric data can be sentto a check clearing financial institution. Per FIG. 9, a payor 914 candraft a negotiable instrument 912, where the negotiable instrument 912has a front side 916 with MICR data, payee name, date, amount,signature, and so on, and a back side 918 configured for endorsement bythe payee. Once the payor 914 drafts the negotiable instrument 912, itcan be sent or given to a member 902 of some payee financial institution904. Upon receipt, the member 902 can transform this check 912 intoelectronic form. Software on the member's 902 computing device canreceive any check information in electronic form and send it to adesired financial institution.

Again, focusing on the specifics, a digital image 920 of the payordrafted negotiable instrument can be submitted by some software moduleto the payee financial institution 904. And in addition, alpha-numericdata 922 that is associated with the payor drafted negotiable instrumentcan be sent to a financial institution that will clear the negotiableinstrument in question. The alpha-numeric data may include (but is notlimited to) MICR information, ACH related information, debit or creditrelated information, wire transfer information, virtual check-likeinformation (where this information acts as if it's a virtual check,including the already mentioned date, signature, amount, payee name,“for” information, and so on).

As can be seen, there are a plurality of such financial institutions tochoose form for providing such alpha-numeric information: a payorfinancial institution 910, some institution intermediate 906 to thepayee financial institution 904 and the payor financial institution 910,some branch of the Federal Reserve 908, and so on. Once thisalpha-numeric information is provided to any one (or some combination)of the shown financial institutions 906, 908, 910, the payor draftednegotiable instrument can be cleared 924. It should also be noted, thatthe payee financial institution 904, in some cases, can also clearnegotiable instruments internally. For example, if a negotiableinstrument is associated with the same financial institution for both apayor and a payee—which is not too difficult to image, given the size ofsome financial institutions, such as Chase, Bank of America, WellsFargo, and so on—such a negotiation instrument can be clearedinternally. In this scenario, perhaps only the digital image willsuffice for clearing a check, however, additionally (or in thealternative) the aforementioned alpha-numeric data can also be presentedto speed up check clearance.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, digital images can be sentto some financial institutions but other related data, such asalpha-numeric data, can be sent to still other financial institutions.Exactly how and where digital images and any associated alpha-numericdata are sent may depend on a variety of factors. For example, themember 902 may designate that checks should be cleared usingalpha-numeric data only with payor financial institutions.Alternatively, some software module may make a determination as to whichfinancial institution would provide the fastest, from a temporal pointof view, or most transaction efficient, from a numeric transaction pointof view, clearance of a negotiable instrument. Such software moduleswere already mentioned with reference to FIG. 6, but other computingdevices and/or modules are contemplated per the discussion withreference to FIG. 15.

It is understood that the present disclosure should be understood in itsentire context and that other data can be used in assisting withclearance of negotiable instruments. For example, metadata associatedwith a negotiable instrument (e.g. a check) was discussed above and withreference to FIG. 7. Such metadata may provide additional data to thedigital images 920 and alpha-numeric data 922 shown in FIG. 9, even ifit is in a format different from these two types of data.

In any event, one advantage of the present system 900 is that itobviates with the sending of digital images among numerous financialinstitutions. Instead, the digital image 920 can be sent to one finaldestination financial institution (shown as the payee financialinstitution 904, but it could just as easily have been any of the otherones 906, 908, 910) and the alpha-numeric data 922 can be used toexecute any remainder of the transaction. The digital image need not bepassed among financial institutions, but it may be provided uponrequest.

Once a transaction involving digital images 920 and alpha-numeric data922 is completed (or nearly completed), verification can be sent to themember 902 that the negotiable instrument has cleared and that fundshave been adjusted accordingly. Alternatively, if some problem hasoccurred along the way, the digital images 920 and alpha-numeric data922 can be resent. In one aspect, they can be resent along the sametransaction route; in another aspect, they can be resent along adifferent transaction route. And, moreover, various attempts may be madein the sending and receiving aspect associated with this data 920, 922.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the separation of digitalimages 920 from alpha-numeric data 922 can also involve non-financialinstitutions. Such non-financial institutions may be merely digitalimage processing enterprises or some other negotiable instrumentprocessing enterprises that are not involved in, for example, thebanking industry, and are thus not subject to its regulations andlimitations.

For example, FIG. 10 illustrates that a non-financial institution 926can receive digital images 920 from the member 902. Alternatively, themember 902 can mail a physical copy or the actual original of anegotiable instrument to the non-financial institution 926. Thisnon-financial institution 926 can receive digital images 920 and processthem according to any instructions (whether from some financialinstitution 904, 906, 908 or the member 902). If any of the illustratedfinancial institutions ever want to access the digital image 920, theycan request it from the non-financial institution 926. Alternatively,the financial institution 926 can automatically provide the digitalimage 920 to the appropriate financial institution (e.g. the clearingfinancial institution).

Since the digital image 920 can be stored or warehoused in thenon-financial institution 926, the negotiable instrument in question canbe actually cleared using the above mentioned alpha-numeric data 922. Ascan be seen in FIG. 9, this alpha-numeric data can be provided towhatever financial institution 904, 906, 908, 910 is responsible forclearing the negotiable instrument. For instance, the payor financialinstitution 910 can receive the alpha-numeric data 922 for clearancepurposes as a debit, credit, ACH, wire transfer, or virtual checktransaction. As those of skill in the art will readily appreciate,various other types of non-digital image based transaction can beinvolved.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, FIG. 11illustrates a flow chart in block diagram form that depicts hownegotiable instruments can be cleared without using digital images. Atblock 800, a bundle or set of data containing digital images andalpha-numeric data is received. It should be noted, that in someaspects, the alpha-numeric data may be derived from a digital image, orat least both kinds of data can be derived using the same device—forexample, some kind of scanning device. In any case, once the total datais received, at block 802, it can be separated (if it wasn't alreadyseparated) into digital image data and alpha-numeric data.

Once this is accomplished, at blocks 804 and 806, containing separateddigital images and alpha-numeric data, respectively, the next step is todetermine which institution the separated data should be forwarded to.In the case of the digital images, at block 804, this determination, ismade at block 808. Thus, digital images 804 can be sent to non-financialinstitutions, as is shown at block 812, or to financial institutions814. In the former case, digital images can be sent to some processingplant and/or storage enterprise that maintains physical checks and/orimages of such checks and/or substitute versions of such checks. In thelatter case, digital images are sent to such financial institutions aspayor banks, payee banks, intermediate banks (with may include branchesof the Federal Reserve). It should be noted that such financialinstitutions, at blocks 816, 818, and 820 may request digital imagesfrom either the non-financial institutions, at block 812, or financialinstitutions, at block 814.

Turning now back to block 806, a determination also has to be maderegarding alpha-numeric data, at block 810. Should the alpha-numericdata, at block 806, be provided to a payee financial institution, atblock 816, a payor financial institution, at block 818, or anintermediate financial institution, at block 820? This determination, asalready discussed above, may be made based on various policies and/orrules. For example, for clearing a negotiable instrument purposes,alpha-numeric data may be provided directly to a payor bank so that itcan be cleared quickly. Alternatively, where the Federal Reserve ininvolved, perhaps such alpha-numeric data would be provided to anintermediate institution. If the negotiable instrument can be clearedinternally, perhaps it might be provided to the payee financialinstitution. Furthermore, either computing device users (e.g. members)or software associated with such users and/or financial institutions canmake a determination as to which financial institution should receivealpha-numeric data for clearing a negotiable instrument associated withsuch data.

Displaying Negotiable Instruments Derived from Various Sources

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, negotiableinstruments derived from various sources can be displayed for a member1202 of an institution, such as a member institution 1210. Thisinstitution 1210 may be a financial institution, such as a bank, or anon-financial institution, such as an insurance enterprise with somebanking aspects, or just about any kind of business dealing with somefinancial transactions. For example, a member 1202, who may be an ownerof an account at the member institution 1210, can write out a check 1204to some payee 1210. The payee 1210 can then deposit this check 1204 tosome payee institution 1212. The payee institution 1212, in turn, canpresent this check 1204 to the member institution and then this checkcan be cleared.

Once the member institution 1210 receives this check, it can post adigital image of the check 1204′ for the member 1202 to see and examine.It should be noted, that the payee financial institution 1212 can eithersend the original check 1204 to the member institution 1210, a copy ofthe original check, a digital image of the original, or may conduct thistransaction using alpha-numeric data (per the discussed above, in whichcase either the original, copy thereof, or the digital image might beprovided to the member institution 1210). In any case, once the memberinstitution 1210 receives the check 1204, whether in hardcopy orsoftcopy form, the member institution 1210 can load the member draftedcheck image 1204′ onto a server for the client member 1202 to access viasome communication network.

Additionally, not only is the member 1202 able to see member draftedcheck images 1204′ but also any checks that the member received frompayors. For example, a payor 1208 can provide to a member 1202 a check1206. Upon receipt, the member 1202 can scan in the check 1206 andprovide it to his or her member institution 1210 in the form of adigital image 1206 in the accordance with the various aspects discussedabove. Alternatively, the member 1202 can mail either the original check1206 or a hardcopy thereof to the member institution 1210, and themember institution 1210 can generate a digital image of the check 1206.Additionally, the member institution 1210 can place a “void” marker oncheck 1206 once this check has cleared or if a digital image of thecheck 1206 has already been provided by the member 1202. In any case,the member institution 1210 can then save this digital image 1206′ andstore it on some computing device, such as a server, so that the member1202 can access this digital image 1206′ via some communication network.Thus, in this way, the system 1200 depicted in FIG. 12 allows a member1202 to access digital images of negotiable instruments, such as checks,from various sources, whether the source is the member 1202 drafting acheck or whether the source is a payor 1208 providing a check for themember 1202.

Thus, in summary, individual A can deposit a negotiable instrument ininstitution A (or alternatively, a negotiable instrument can be drawn oninstitution A by individual A′, where the negotiable instrument is madeout by individual A), and individual B can deposit a negotiableinstrument in institution B (or alternatively, a negotiable instrumentcan be drawn on institution B by individual B′, where the negotiableinstrument is made out by individual B). In any case, digital images ofnegotiable instruments can display at institution A, institution B,and/or some other target institution (although, in some cases, thetarget institution may correspond to institution A and/or institutionB). Hence, digital images originating from various sources and/orinstitutions can be examined by individuals. If, for example, individualA holds accounts in institutions A and B, that individual may examinedigital images of negotiable instruments stored at both institutions,even though such institutions may be separate and distinct enterprises(e.g. Bank of America and Chase Manhattan Bank).

A user could view both a first digital image and a second digital image,if such a user holds an account with at least one of the institutionsstoring the first and second digital image—even though the respectivefirst institution may be a distinct enterprise (e.g. Bank of America)from a second institution (Chase Manhattan Bank). Put in other words, atleast one of two architectures are envisions herein: (1) a system wherea user can view multiple accounts at once to view all images ofnegotiable instruments related to that user, and (2) a system where theuser can view one account that has been synchronized with other multipleaccounts. In the former case, a software module or program can allow auser using a client computer to connect to servers at institutions andlog-in to view the respective accounts; and moreover, the program canaggregate all the digital images of negotiable instruments in one space,such as a web page, so the user can view the entire universe of his orher digital images of negotiable instruments. In the latter case,however, the user can merely log on to one existing account related tosome institution, and then digital images can by synchronized from otherinstitutions to that institution so the user may view all digital imagesrelated to that user. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciatethat APIs and other standard programming functionalities could be usedto accomplish this goal.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, an accountholder 1302 may have various accounts across various institutions. Forexample, the account holder 1302 can have a traditional banking accountthat the holder 1302 uses daily, an additional banking account used forother purposes, a credit card account, a line of credit account,commercial transaction account, such as a PayPal account, and so on. Theaccount holder 1302, may want to access digital images of checks theaccount holder 1302 drafted or received at other institutions 1306,1308. To have such a one-stop digital image warehouse, digital images1310, 1312 can be synchronized from various other accounts at otherinstitutions 1306, 1308 that the account holder 1302 may be affiliatedwith.

For example, the account holder 1302 may have an account at a secondinstitution 1306, which may be a line of credit account. Any checks theaccount holder 1302 drafts against this account, may have correspondingdigital images 1310. However, unless the account holder 1302 access thisaccount at the second institution 1306, he may not be aware that such adigital image 1310 exists. Alternatively, it may be burdensome for theaccount holder 1302 to have to access a plurality of accounts atdifferent institutions in order identify a negotiable instrument ofinterest to the account holder 1302. Thus, in one aspect of thepresently disclosed subject matter, the digital image 1310 at the secondinstitution 1306 is sent to the first institution 1304. Whether such adigital image 1310 is pushed by the second institution 1306 or pulled bythe first institution 1304 is an implementation detail that depends onthe architecture of the present system 1200. Once the digital image 1310is received by the first institution 1304, the account holder 1302 canaccess this digital image 1310 and display it.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the account holder 1302 canalso receive various negotiable instruments that may be deposited at athird institution 1308, which may be some business enterprise, such asthe account holder's 1302 workplace. If the workplace has a digitalimage 1312 of the account holder's check, this digital image 1312 canalso be provided to the first institution 1304, and stored at the firstinstitution 1304 so that the account holder 1302 can later access anddisplay this digital image 1312. It should be noted that synchronizationof such digital images 1310, 1312 can be performed at specified times,daily, weekly, monthly, and so on. It can also be accomplished on acheck-by-check basis or in batches. Those skilled in the art willappreciate the various synchronization mechanisms that could be usedwith various aspect disclosed herein.

Lastly, a block flow chart is shown in FIG. 14, describing variousaspects of displaying digital images derived from various sources. Atblock 1400, a first digital image of a first negotiable instrument isreceived, where the instrument was drafted by a member of aninstitution. At block 1402, a second digital image of a secondnegotiable instrument is received, where this instrument was drafted byanother entity, whether by another person or an inanimate object. Atblock 1404, both the first digital image and the second digital imageare displayed at the institution location to the member upon themember's request. And finally, at block 1406, any other digital imagesat other institutions are provided to the institution viasynchronization (which may be a two-way synchronization). These stepsoutline the general notion of this aspect of the present disclosure andare meant to be exemplary and not limiting.

Exemplary Computing and Networking Environment

Referring to FIG. 15, shown is a block diagram representing an exemplarycomputing device suitable for use in conjunction with implementing thesystems and methods described above. For example, computer executableinstructions that carry out the processes and methods for (1) remotelydepositing negotiable instruments to non-payee financial institutions,(2) clearing negotiable instruments without using digital images, and(3) displaying negotiable instruments from various sources are provided.They may reside and/or be executed in such a computing environment asshown in FIG. 15. The computing system environment 220 is only oneexample of a suitable computing environment and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of thepresently disclosed subject matter. Neither should the computingenvironment 220 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated in theexemplary operating environment 220. For example a computer game consolemay also include those items such as those described below for use inconjunction with implementing the processes described above.

Aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter are operational withnumerous other general purpose or special purpose computing systemenvironments or configurations. Examples of well known computingsystems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable foruse with the this subject matter include, but are not limited to,personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, distributed computing environments that include any of theabove systems or devices, and the like.

Aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented inthe general context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices.

An exemplary system for implementing aspects of the presently disclosedsubject matter includes a general purpose computing device in the formof a computer 241. Components of computer 241 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 259, a system memory 222, and a system bus221 that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit 259. The system bus 221 may be any of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architecturesinclude Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

Computer 241 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 241 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can accessed by computer 241. Communication media typicallyembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one ormore of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 222 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 223and random access memory (RAM) 260. A basic input/output system 224(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 241, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 223. RAM 260 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 259. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 15 illustrates operating system 225, applicationprograms 226, other program modules 227, and program data 228.

The computer 241 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 15 illustrates a hard disk drive 238 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 239that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 254,and an optical disk drive 240 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 253 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 238 is typically connectedto the system bus 221 through an non-removable memory interface such asinterface 234, and magnetic disk drive 239 and optical disk drive 240are typically connected to the system bus 221 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 235.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 15, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 241. In FIG. 15, for example, hard disk drive 238 isillustrated as storing operating system 258, application programs 257,other program modules 256, and program data 255. Note that thesecomponents can either be the same as or different from operating system225, application programs 226, other program modules 227, and programdata 228. Operating system 258, application programs 257, other programmodules 256, and program data 255 are given different numbers here toillustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user mayenter commands and information into the computer 241 through inputdevices such as a keyboard 251 and pointing device 252, commonlyreferred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (notshown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish,scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connectedto the processing unit 259 through a user input interface 236 that iscoupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface andbus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serialbus (USB). A monitor 242 or other type of display device is alsoconnected to the system bus 221 via an interface, such as a videointerface 232. In addition to the monitor, computers may also includeother peripheral output devices such as speakers 244 and printer 243,which may be connected through a output peripheral interface 233.

The computer 241 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer246. The remote computer 246 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 241, although only a memory storage device 247 has beenillustrated in FIG. 15. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 15include a local area network (LAN) 245 and a wide area network (WAN)249, but may also include other networks. Such networking environmentsare commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranetsand the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 241 is connectedto the LAN 245 through a network interface or adapter 237. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 241 typically includes amodem 250 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN249, such as the Internet. The modem 250, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 221 via the user inputinterface 236, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 241, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 15 illustrates remoteapplication programs 248 as residing on memory device 247. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

It should be understood that the various techniques described herein maybe implemented in connection with hardware or software or, whereappropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatusof the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects orportions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions)embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, harddrives, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when theprogram code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as acomputer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presentlydisclosed subject matter. In the case of program code execution onprogrammable computers, the computing device generally includes aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. One or more programs thatmay implement or utilize the processes described in connection with thepresently disclosed subject matter, e.g., through the use of an API,reusable controls, or the like. Such programs are preferably implementedin a high level procedural or object oriented programming language tocommunicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can beimplemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case,the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combinedwith hardware implementations.

Although exemplary embodiments may refer to utilizing aspects of thepresently disclosed subject matter in the context of one or morestand-alone computer systems, the said subject matter is not so limited,but rather may be implemented in connection with any computingenvironment, such as a network or distributed computing environment.Still further, aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may beimplemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, andstorage may similarly be effected across a plurality of devices. Suchdevices might include personal computers, network servers, handhelddevices, supercomputers, or computers integrated into other systems suchas automobiles and airplanes.

In light of the diverse computing environments that may be builtaccording to the general framework provided in FIG. 15, the systems andmethods provided herein cannot be construed as limited in any way to aparticular computing architecture. Instead, the presently disclosedsubject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment, butrather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with theappended claims.

Referring next to FIG. 16, shown is an exemplary networked computingenvironment in which many computerized processes may be implemented toperform the processes described above. For example, parallel computingmay be part of such a networked environment with various clients on thenetwork of FIG. 16 using and/or implementing the defining and extractingof a flat list of search properties from a rich structured type. One ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate that networks can connect anycomputer or other client or server device, or in a distributed computingenvironment. In this regard, any computer system or environment havingany number of processing, memory, or storage units, and any number ofapplications and processes occurring simultaneously is consideredsuitable for use in connection with the systems and methods provided.

Distributed computing provides sharing of computer resources andservices by exchange between computing devices and systems. Theseresources and services include the exchange of information, cachestorage and disk storage for files. Distributed computing takesadvantage of network connectivity, allowing clients to leverage theircollective power to benefit the entire enterprise. In this regard, avariety of devices may have applications, objects or resources that mayimplicate the processes described herein.

FIG. 16 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked ordistributed computing environment. The environment comprises computingdevices 271, 272, 276, and 277 as well as objects 273, 274, and 275, anddatabase 278. Each of these entities 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277and 278 may comprise or make use of programs, methods, data stores,programmable logic, etc. The entities 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277and 278 may span portions of the same or different devices such as PDAs,audio/video devices, MP3 players, personal computers, etc. Each entity271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and 278 can communicate with anotherentity 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and 278 by way of thecommunications network 270. In this regard, any entity may beresponsible for the maintenance and updating of a database 278 or otherstorage element.

This network 270 may itself comprise other computing entities thatprovide services to the system of FIG. 16, and may itself representmultiple interconnected networks. In accordance with an aspect of thepresently disclosed subject matter, each entity 271, 272, 273, 274, 275,276, 277 and 278 may contain discrete functional program modules thatmight make use of an API, or other object, software, firmware and/orhardware, to request services of one or more of the other entities 271,272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 and 278.

It can also be appreciated that an object, such as 275, may be hosted onanother computing device 276. Thus, although the physical environmentdepicted may show the connected devices as computers, such illustrationis merely exemplary and the physical environment may alternatively bedepicted or described comprising various digital devices such as PDAs,televisions, MP3 players, etc., software objects such as interfaces, COMobjects and the like.

There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurationsthat support distributed computing environments. For example, computingsystems may be connected together by wired or wireless systems, by localnetworks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many networks arecoupled to the Internet, which provides an infrastructure for widelydistributed computing and encompasses many different networks. Any suchinfrastructures, whether coupled to the Internet or not, may be used inconjunction with the systems and methods provided.

A network infrastructure may enable a host of network topologies such asclient/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. The “client” is amember of a class or group that uses the services of another class orgroup to which it is not related. In computing, a client is a process,i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, that requests a serviceprovided by another program. The client process utilizes the requestedservice without having to “know” any working details about the otherprogram or the service itself. In a client/server architecture,particularly a networked system, a client is usually a computer thataccesses shared network resources provided by another computer, e.g., aserver. In the example of FIG. 16, any entity 271, 272, 273, 274, 275,276, 277 and 278 can be considered a client, a server, or both,depending on the circumstances.

A server is typically, though not necessarily, a remote computer systemaccessible over a remote or local network, such as the Internet. Theclient process may be active in a first computer system, and the serverprocess may be active in a second computer system, communicating withone another over a communications medium, thus providing distributedfunctionality and allowing multiple clients to take advantage of theinformation-gathering capabilities of the server. Any software objectsmay be distributed across multiple computing devices or objects.

Client(s) and server(s) communicate with one another utilizing thefunctionality provided by protocol layer(s). For example, HyperTextTransfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol that is used inconjunction with the World Wide Web (WWW), or “the Web.” Typically, acomputer network address such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address orother reference such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) can be usedto identify the server or client computers to each other. The networkaddress can be referred to as a URL address. Communication can beprovided over a communications medium, e.g., client(s) and server(s) maybe coupled to one another via TCP/IP connection(s) for high-capacitycommunication.

In light of the diverse computing environments that may be builtaccording to the general framework provided in FIG. 16 and the furtherdiversification that can occur in computing in a network environmentsuch as that of FIG. 16, the systems and methods provided herein cannotbe construed as limited in any way to a particular computingarchitecture or operating system. Instead, the presently disclosedsubject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment, butrather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with theappended claims.

Lastly, while the present disclosure has been described in connectionwith the preferred aspects, as illustrated in the various figures, it isunderstood that other similar aspects may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described aspects for performing the samefunction of the present disclosure without deviating therefrom. Forexample, in various aspects of the disclosure, processes and methodswere described at least for remote deposit of negotiable instruments tonon-payee financial institutions, for clearing negotiable instrumentswithout digital images, and for displaying negotiable instruments fromvarious sources. However, other equivalent mechanisms to these describedaspects are also contemplated by the teachings herein. Therefore, thepresent disclosure should not be limited to any single aspect, butrather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appendedclaims.

1. A system for displaying digital images of negotiable instrumentsderived from a plurality of sources, comprising: a first subsystemconfigured to store a first digital image of a first negotiableinstrument at a first institution, wherein said negotiable instrument isdeposited at said first institution; a second subsystem configured tostore a second digital image of a second negotiable instrument at asecond institution, wherein said negotiable instrument is deposited atsaid second institution; a third subsystem configured to synchronizesaid first digital image with said second digital image at said secondinstitution, wherein said first digital image and said second digitalimage are synchronized dynamically on digital image by digital imagebasis; and a fourth subsystem configured to view both said first digitalimage and said second digital image by accessing said secondinstitution.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one ofsaid first digital image and said second digital image is created byfrom at least one of (a) a negotiable instrument, (b) a hardcopy of saidnegotiable instrument, (c) a different digital image, and (d) datarelated to said negotiable instrument.
 3. The system according to claim1, wherein at least one of said first digital image and said seconddigital image is provided by an entity in a form to be displayed by saidsecond institution.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidsynchronization is performed by a software module located at said secondinstitution.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said firstdigital image and said second digital image are synchronized on a batchbasis.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein a verification ofreceipt of said first digital image is provided by said secondinstitution.
 7. method for displaying digital images of negotiableinstruments derived from a plurality of sources, comprising: storing afirst digital image of a first negotiable instrument at a firstinstitution, wherein said negotiable instrument is deposited at saidfirst institution; storing a second digital image of a second negotiableinstrument at a second institution, wherein said negotiable instrumentis deposited at said second institution; synchronizing said firstdigital image with said second digital image at said second institution,wherein said first digital image and said second digital image aresynchronized dynamically on digital image by digital image basis; andviewing both said first digital image and said second digital image byaccessing said second institution.
 8. The method according to claim 7,further comprising creating at least one of said first digital image andsaid second digital image from at least one of (a) a negotiableinstrument, (b) a hardcopy of said negotiable instrument, (c) adifferent digital image, and (d) data related to said negotiableinstrument.
 9. The method according to claim 7, further comprisingproviding at least one of said first digital image and said seconddigital image by an entity in a form to be displayed by said secondinstitution.
 10. The method according to claim 7, further comprisingsynchronizing with a software module located at said second institution.11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising synchronizing ona batch basis said first digital image and said second digital image.12. The method according to claim 7, further comprising providing averification of receipt of said first digital image by said secondinstitution.
 13. A computer readable medium bearing computer executableinstructions for displaying digital images of negotiable instrumentsderived from a plurality of sources, comprising: storing a first digitalimage of a first negotiable instrument at a first institution, whereinsaid negotiable instrument is deposited at said first institution;storing a second digital image of a second negotiable instrument at asecond institution, wherein said negotiable instrument is deposited atsaid second institution; synchronizing said first digital image withsaid second digital image at said second institution, wherein said firstdigital image and said second digital image are synchronized dynamicallyon digital image by digital image basis; and viewing both said firstdigital image and said second digital image by accessing said secondinstitution.
 14. The computer readable medium according to claim 13,further comprising creating at least one of said first digital image andsaid second digital image from at least one of (a) a negotiableinstrument, (b) a hardcopy of said negotiable instrument, (c) adifferent digital image, and (d) data related to said negotiableinstrument.
 15. The computer readable medium according to claim 13,further comprising providing at least one of said first digital imageand said second digital image by an entity in a form to be displayed bysaid second institution.
 16. The computer readable medium according toclaim 13, further comprising synchronizing with a software modulelocated at said second institution.
 17. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 13, further comprising synchronizing on a batch basissaid first digital image and said second digital image.
 18. The computerreadable medium according to claim 13, further comprising providing averification of receipt of said first digital image by said secondinstitution.
 19. A system for displaying digital images of negotiableinstruments derived from a plurality of sources, comprising: a memory; aprocessor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured toIssue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory,wherein the processor issues instructions to: retrieve a first digitalimage of a first negotiable instrument deposited at a first institution;receive a deposit of a second digital image of a second negotiableinstrument; aggregate and store the retrieved first digital image andthe received second digital image, wherein said first digital image andsaid second digital image are synchronized dynamically on digital imageby digital image basis; and display the stored first and second digitalimages.